Hsu Hsin-ying’s Emotional Victory: A Comeback in KMT’s Hsinchu County Primary, Former Soong Chu-yu Running Mate Enters the Fray Again

It’s been a whirlwind few days for KMT supporters in Hsinchu County. The results of the party’s primary for the Hsinchu County magistrate election were finally announced on the 28th. After a fierce three-day battle that combined opinion polls with a final party member vote, Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying narrowly edged out Deputy County Magistrate Chen Chien-hsien by a razor-thin margin of 1.268 percentage points (50.634% to 49.366%). She will now represent the KMT in the year-end election for Hsinchu County magistrate.

A 70/30 Comeback: Overcoming a Deficit in Party Member Votes with Polling Numbers

The party’s primary used a 70/30 system, where polls accounted for 70% of the final result and the party member vote made up 30%. It was a cutthroat contest. In the party member vote held on the 28th, Chen Chien-hsien showcased his deep grassroots organization, securing 2,870 votes (56.775%), outrunning Hsu Hsin-ying, who got 2,185 votes (43.225%). Just when it seemed like Chen had the upper hand, the crucial polling data came in and completely flipped the script. Hsu led across the board in the results from three polling firms, and after the weighted calculations, she emerged victorious with a total approval rating of 50.634%.

When the results were announced, Hsu could be seen blinking rapidly on stage, her eyes welling up with tears. She eventually pulled out a tissue, overcome with emotion. In a choked voice, she said there were only five words on her mind during this period: “humility and gratitude.” She thanked all the乡亲 (local residents) who supported her in the phone polls, thanked the party members who went out to vote, and acknowledged her opponent, Chen Chien-hsien. She stressed that with the primary over, everyone’s goal was the same: the future of Hsinchu County.

“A Party Primary Isn’t the Real Fight”: Hsu Hsin-ying Sets Sights on the General Election

After regaining her composure, Hsu demonstrated the resilience she’s built over her years in politics. She told her supporters to celebrate the win for just one night, because tomorrow it was back to the campaign trail—the real challenge was just beginning. She framed the upcoming general election as a “final boss” level, pointing out that her opponent will be the DPP candidate, who will have the full backing of the party, the government, online influencers, the judiciary, and the media. This wasn’t just a stark assessment of the election landscape; it also served to quickly shift KMT supporters’ focus away from the primary’s infighting and toward a sense of unity against the common opponent.

For those in Hsinchu, Hsu Hsin-ying is certainly a familiar face. With a PhD in Civil Engineering from National Chiao Tung University and the distinction of being Taiwan’s first female PhD in satellite surveying, her political career has been nothing short of dramatic. She was first elected as a legislator in 2012 with the highest number of votes in the country. In 2015, she left the KMT to form the Minkuotang (People First Party) and in 2016 ran for vice president on a ticket with James Soong. Although that bid was unsuccessful, it gave her national name recognition. She rejoined the KMT in 2022 through the “Same Boat Plan” and returned to the Legislative Yuan in 2024. Now, armed with a wealth of campaign experience, she’s once again aiming for the Hsinchu County magistrate seat.

Primary Battle Ends, Party Unity Is the Next Hurdle

Of course, the primary was not without its controversies. Allegations flew back and forth, from Hsu’s camp demanding a review of Chen’s past criminal record, citing party discipline, to Chen’s camp accusing Hsu of violating the election and recall act by releasing poll data and questioning her dual party membership. Now that the results are final and Hsu Hsin-ying’s candidacy is set, the big question is whether the KMT can successfully unify.

Chen Chien-hsien showed grace after the results were announced. Despite his decisive win in the party member vote, he simply said, “Go KMT, go Hsinchu County,” putting a cap on the fierce intra-party competition. As the general election approaches, whether the KMT can hold onto Hsinchu County, a traditionally stronghold for the party, will hinge on Hsu Hsin-ying’s ability to rally local factions and transform the primary’s internal conflicts into momentum for the campaign ahead.

• Primary Result: Hsu Hsin-ying defeats Chen Chien-hsien by a hair’s breadth (50.634% vs. 49.366%).
• Turning Point: Despite trailing in the party member vote, she made a comeback thanks to the polls, which accounted for 70% of the total.
• Hsu’s Reaction: An emotional victory, stressing “humility and gratitude,” and calling for party unity.
• Chen’s Response: A gracious concession, cheering on the party and the county.

With Hsu Hsin-ying set to lead the KMT in the year-end Hsinchu County magistrate election, the biggest question will be whether she can recapture the momentum that once made her the top national vote-getter. After shifting party affiliations over the years, can she once again earn the trust of voters in what promises to be a world-class showdown for Hsinchu County? That will be the key story to watch.